Dale William Knauer

Dale William Knauer, age 89, of Monroe, Wisconsin, formerly of Elizabeth, Illinois, passed away October 13, 2026, just four days before his 90th birthday. A devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Dale lived a life rooted in family, hard work, and a love of the outdoors.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 19, 2026, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Elizabeth. Visitation will be held at the church from 8:30 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will follow at Elizabeth Cemetery, with a flag ceremony honoring Dale’s military service. Law-Jones Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Dale was born October 17, 1936, in Elizabeth, the son of William and Mary Magdalene “Mac” Knauer. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Elizabeth High School in 1954. Dale served his country for two years in the United States Army.

On January 6, 1962, Dale married Mary “Penny” Nichols in Elizabeth. Together, they raised four children and shared 47 years of marriage before Penny’s passing on March 3, 2009.

Farming was an important part of Dale’s life. He worked the Knauer family farm until 1974 and the home farm until 1985. Over the years, he also worked in construction for Albrecht Construction, masonry for Joe Lieb, and , and factory work at Dura Atwood’s. Dale had a knack for working with his hands and figuring things out.

Dale enjoyed baseball, basketball, bowling, and a good game of cards. He shared his love of the outdoors by teaching his own children to hunt raccoons, squirrels, and rabbits and fish on the Mississippi River. He enjoyed listening to the Chicago Cubs and watching the Chicago Bears.

Outgoing and outspoken, Dale brought his own personality to every gathering. He valued time with family, whether they were sharing a meal, playing Euchre or 500, or simply enjoying one another’s company. His children and grandchildren will carry with them the practical skills he taught, the stories he shared, and the memories they made together. Dale was a member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elizabeth.

Dale will be dearly missed by his four children, Ruth (Jeff) Balsano of Monroe, Wisconsin, William “Willy”(Joanne) Knauer of Mount Carroll, Patricia “Trish”Shumaker of Orangeville, and John (Lisa) Knauer of Dubuque; eleven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and six siblings, Janet Roberts of Elizabeth, Carol Busjahn of Cedarville, Robert Knauer of Yorkville, Paul (Ruth) Knauer of Elizabeth, Judy (Don) Kaufman of Winslow, and Jim (Cheryl) Knauer of Elizabeth, in-laws, Kathleen Knauer, Joe Ambrosia, Jessie McCoy, Joe Salazar; his companion of seven years, Sandi Gobli; and an honorary daughter, Elaine Fuchs.

Dale was preceded in death by his wife, Penny; his parents; his brothers, David Knauer and Lyle (Jenny) Knauer; his sisters, Mary Ambrosia and Betty (Tom) Marcure; and in-laws, Lewis Busjahn, Wendell Robert’s, Rafael (Dolly) Garcia, Earl (Pat) Price, Richard Nichols, Arthur Nichols, Irvin (Ruth) Brown, Paul Nichols, David McCoy and Ellen Salazar.